Chapter 877 This pie in the sky looks too big, should we take it or not?
As Chen Yanfu raised her glass on the street, Li Sanniang was also raising her glass to drink with someone.
In a private room on the second floor of Yuelai Restaurant, Li Sanniang, along with Qiu Xiang and Song Fuling, sat at a table with a beautiful woman sitting opposite them. There were three of them on Li Sanniang's side, while the beautiful woman opposite them was alone.
However, an old woman was standing behind the beautiful woman.
This beautiful woman was none other than Zhongli Wenlian, the owner of Furongji, who had given Li Sanniang the orchid-shaped silver hairpin.
Today, the Department of Surgery at the Imperial Medical Academy was delayed quite a bit in order to demonstrate a complete human skeleton to the physicians who remained. Afterwards, Li San Niang and Chen Yan Fu spent time going over the procedures again for tomorrow's maternity clinic demonstration before finally finishing their business.
Li San Niang had intended to take Qiu Xiang and Song Fu Ling to a random restaurant for a meal before resting in the house she had rented long ago. Little did she expect that as soon as the three of them stepped out of Chongwen Hall, an old woman would come up to invite them.
Once she understood whose old woman it was, Li San Niang naturally refused. After all, when the Imperial Medical Bureau had discussed the matter of affordable medicines and expensive tonics, Li San Niang naturally remembered who the five major medicine merchants in Chang'an City were.
Although Li San Niang did indeed initiate the matter of this medicine, her current official position truly leaves her with no authority to make decisions on this matter.
At this moment, Zhongli Wenlian sent someone to invite her, and Li Sanniang naturally had to avoid suspicion to prevent misunderstandings.
However, in the end, Li San Niang still got into Zhong Li's carriage with the old woman. Why?
The conditions offered by the Zhongli family were indeed very tempting. Even though she knew it was a bait that was hard to swallow, Li San Niang still had to bite the bullet and take a bite.
When Li San Niang saw Zhongli Wenlian's gaze fixed on her wine cup, she quickly explained, "Drinking alcohol is harmful to the body. Excessive drinking can impair one's control over one's sense of finesse."
I still need to use these hands to perform acupuncture and surgery to save lives, so I will avoid drinking alcohol if I can.
"I've only had a few drinks today out of respect for Lady Zhongli, please forgive me."
Zhongli Wenlian pointed to the wine cup in front of her with her nail polished fingers: "How could I blame Doctor Li?"
"I'm already delighted that Dr. Li has graciously come to the banquet today," Zhongli Wenlian said, turning to Granny Cui standing to the side. "Mother, go and fetch a pot of good tea. Since Dr. Li cannot drink alcohol for his own sake, why should I force him?"
Li San Niang quickly expressed her gratitude, thanking Zhongli Wenlian for her understanding.
After the tea was served, Li San Niang put down her chopsticks, straightened her back, and looked at Zhongli Wenlian, who exuded an air of wealth and nobility, and said, "Madam Zhongli, you invited me here today, presumably to inquire about the prepared medicines that the Imperial Medical Bureau has released, right?"
Zhongli Wenlian did not deny Li Sanniang's words, so Li Sanniang took the opportunity to tell Zhongli Wenlian everything she could.
"...That's how it is. The Zhongli family is one of the five major pharmaceutical merchants. If they want to compete for the quota of this finished medicine, they will definitely be able to do it."
The question is simply how much of a share the Zhongli family will get.
"If my wife trusts me, would you please listen to what I have to say?"
Upon hearing Li San Niang's words, Zhongli Wenlian's eyes widened, and she looked at Li San Niang meaningfully: "Please enlighten me, Physician Li."
"To be honest, Madam Zhongli, when your wife came to invite me today, I didn't intend to come. After all, I am an official, and it is at times like these that I should be more careful with my words and actions."
But when I heard from my wife's family servants that my wife intended to donate three thousand taels of silver to the maternity ward, I was tempted.
So, I came.
Zhongli Wenlian was somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected Li Sanniang to say those words so directly to her face.
You see, officials, or rather, male officials, are very concerned about their image. Even if they secretly want the merchants' money, they will definitely put on airs in front of the merchants.
Li San Niang's outspokenness, revealing that she was interested in the money Zhong Li Wen Lian had mentioned, was quite unusual.
Li San Niang noticed the surprise on Zhongli Wenlian's face. She chuckled and continued, "Although the maternity ward has some revenue now, Chang'an is still under the emperor's nose. Most of the women who come to the maternity ward for treatment have some money."
But how vast was the Tang Dynasty?
Currently, there are only two maternity clinics in Chang'an and Dongdu. The one in Dongdu is currently being run by my apprentice.
Lady Zhongli, we are both women, and we should know how difficult it is for women to make a living in this world, and that good health is the foundation of a person's life.
As a female doctor, I truly want to do something for women all over the world.
Although I had the support of the emperor and the Imperial Medical Bureau allocated a lot of money to me, it was still not enough.
Therefore, as soon as I heard that my wife wanted to donate money, I came immediately.
Zhongli Wenlian was now somewhat moved, as she truly felt Li Sanniang's sincerity from her words.
"So, I want to say to you, if you really want to donate money, why not use it to compete for the women's medicine portion of the prepared medicines?"
Other pharmaceutical merchants must want those life-saving pills and health-preserving medicines. These everyday medicines are tied to the expensive tonics in the Imperial Medical Bureau.
However, there was no binding agreement for women to use the medicine, and I was afraid that the pharmaceutical companies would be driven by profit, so I didn't do it.
"If you are willing to do it, I assure you, I will definitely discuss it with the magistrate and give you some benefits."
Seeing that Zhongli Wenlian remained unmoved, Li Sanniang spoke up again with some anxiety: "Don't worry, madam. This women's medicine will initially lose money, but as people find out that it is really effective, more people will buy it. With small profits but quick turnover, we can make some money."
Furthermore, only when women are healthy can they give birth to healthy children, which is a great benefit to future generations.
"My lady, trust me. Do this well, and in ten years, your name will surely be known throughout the Tang Dynasty, and the Zhongli family's business will undoubtedly be among the best in the Tang Dynasty."
Li San Niang's promise is quite grand, but I wonder if Zhongli Wenlian will actually accept it?
“Haha, haha,” Li San Niang stared blankly at Zhongli Wenlian, who had burst out laughing, “Doctor Li is truly a wonderful person, really quite interesting.”
As the moon rose above the treetops, Li San Niang and her two companions were gently escorted back to the front of the rented house by Zhong Li's carriage. Song Fuling was carrying the fine tea that Zhong Li Wenlian had specially gifted to Li San Niang.
Qiu Xiang took out her key and opened the door. The three of them went inside and quickly found a lamp to light the way.
Li San Niang looked at the beautifully packaged tea box on the table, then looked up at Qiu Xiang and Song Fu Ling sitting opposite her: "I wonder if Lady Zhongli believed what I said?"
If she can successfully promote the women's medicine, then my efforts tonight will not have been in vain.
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